Sahar
“I learned that it was important not to hide the hard parts of life; that everyone has a story that might not be a happy one and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Sahar is passionate about connection - connection to the Earth, others and herself. She battled with an eating disorder for over a decade of her life, an experience which still impacts her today. But the challenges Sahar has faced have taught her the value of honest storytelling in understanding that you are not alone. Though her path has taken her down dark tunnels, she is someone who always manages to see the light, and is now working to build a fully sustainable life so that both she, and our planet, can thrive. Sahar hopes that her actions can help inspire others to protect their own well being, while considering the well being of their surrounding environment. Meet Sahar. This is her story.
Sahar, Mother Nature, and a chicken (her happy place)
P: Please introduce yourself!
S: My name is Sahar, I am 30 years old. I was born in Israel and am currently living between Madrid and California. I am an amateur herbalist and kombucha brewer, and am gearing up to dive in to sustainable architecture so that one day I can live in an earthship! I am passionate about learning how to live in harmony with the land, and fascinated by the natural world. My goal is to live on a big plot of land in a beautiful place where I can grow a huge portion of my own food and medicinal herbs, along with chickens and other animals. I hope to inspire others to create big and/or small changes in their way of life that will bring them joy and health, along with creating positive effects for the health of the planet.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
S: I am an optimistic woman. I love to make people laugh, and I LOVE to laugh so hard that my belly hurts and tears are running down my cheeks. I care deeply about those around me, and am always learning how to balance self-care with caring for others. I love to talk about the difficult parts of life because I feel like it creates deeper connections. The more we normalize expressing the difficult, the less lonely we will feel.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
S: My favorite thing about myself is my ability to always rise from the ashes. I haven't had a clear path ever, and sometimes it feels very discouraging to "start over." But I always do, and each time, even if it's exhausting at first, I realize my previous experiences and the lessons I have learned aid me in the next part of my journey.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
S: When I was in my late teens I struggled with anorexia. It was a dark place, and was very difficult to come out of. At my worst, I weighed 88 lbs (I was 18), and was visiting the doctor every week. Being a psychological disorder, it took me 10 years to fully feel like I had conquered it, and still it's something I have learned to deal with daily. What I found most beneficial in the healing process was sharing what I was passing/had passed through. By doing this I learned that it was important not to hide the hard parts of life; that everyone has a story that might not be a happy one and it's nothing to be ashamed of.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
S: A piece of advice I would give to my younger self: have less fear, don't let shyness stop you from experiences. And if it does, don't worry, because there is a whole lifetime ahead of you filled with adventures!
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
S: Being a woman is an exploration of the past, present, and future. We carry such an evolving role yet continue to carry on the traditions of nurturing, healing, creating, and amplifying a voice for the misfits and under-represented. Our greatest gift is our natural empathy, no matter how much we are looked down upon at times for it. Our history of strength and drive to be heard and counted paves the way for so many who feel small.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
S: I am deeply inspired by my mother the older I get. She raised four kids while working and going to school in her late 30's. She had dedicated an entire 30 years to us, never giving up, always having energy for us, always making an effort to support our passions. As time goes on and we get to share "adult chats," I am constantly amazed at how well she knows me.
If I could say one thing to her it would be: thank you for teaching me commitment to family, for your industrial spirit that taught me how to keep moving forward, and for trusting me in my growing process and loving me through it every step of the way.